Interior rearview mirror assembly with display and tilt mechanism

ABSTRACT

An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head accommodating a reflective element. A display device is accommodated in the mirror head and behind the reflective element. The reflective element is tiltable between a mirror mode orientation, where the vehicle driver views rearward of the vehicle via the reflective element, and a display mode orientation, where the display device is actuated and the vehicle driver views images displayed by the display device through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element. An actuator has an actuator body that is pivotally mounted at the reflective element and that has a pivot element of a pivot joint that pivotally mounts the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle. The actuator pivots the reflective element relative to the actuator body to tilt the reflective element between the mirror mode orientation and the display mode orientation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/910,084, filed Mar. 2, 108, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,442,360,which claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional applications, Ser.No. 62/587,145, filed Nov. 16, 2017, Ser. No. 62/501,263, filed May 4,2017, Ser. No. 62/476,951, filed Mar. 27, 2017, Ser. No. 62/471,492,filed Mar. 15, 2017, and Ser. No. 62/466,090, filed Mar. 2, 2017, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to interior rearview mirror systems and,more particularly, to an interior rearview mirror system having adisplay at the interior rearview mirror for viewing by the driver of thevehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a mirror assembly that is adjustably mounted toan interior portion of a vehicle, such as via a double ball pivot orjoint mounting configuration where the mirror casing and reflectiveelement are adjusted relative to the interior portion of a vehicle bypivotal movement about the double ball pivot configuration. The mirrorcasing and reflective element are pivotable about either or both of theball pivot joints by a user that is adjusting a rearward field of viewof the reflective element. It is also generally known to provide adisplay screen at the mirror assembly. A variety of interior andexterior mirror assemblies with indicators and/or displays are known inthe art, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663; 5,355,284; 5,788,357;6,257,746; 6,005,724; 5,481,409; 6,111,683; 6,045,243; 6,264,353;6,512,624; 6,356,376; 2,263,382; 2,580,014; 3,266,016; 4,499,451;4,588,267; 4,630,904; 4,623,222; 4,721,364; 4,906,085; 5,313,335;5,587,699; 5,575,552; 5,436,741; 5,587,699; 5,938,320; 6,700,692 and5,786,772, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a vision system for displaying videoimages of captured images for viewing by the driver of the vehicle. Avideo display screen is disposed in the vehicle cabin and is viewable atthe interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror head and reflectiveelement of the mirror assembly can be adjusted or flipped between amirror mode orientation, where the driver of the vehicle views rearwardof the vehicle via the mirror reflective element, and a display modeorientation, where the driver of the vehicle views images displayed bythe display device via the mirror reflective element. The adjustment orflipping function is performed by an actuator of the mirror head thatoperates to pivot the mirror head relative to the pivot joint attachmentthat attaches the mirror head to a mirror mount affixed at an interiorportion of the vehicle (such as at a headliner or at an in-cabin surfaceof the vehicle windshield or the like). The actuator is actuated via auser input or may automatically actuate to pivot the mirror head to adisplay orientation responsive to the driver shifting the vehicletransmission into a reverse gear (whereby the display screen may beactivated to display video images derived from image data captured by arear backup camera of the vehicle).

The mirror head may include a socket element that pivotally attaches ata ball element of the mirror mount, and the ball element may comprise aplurality of grooves established at a surface thereof. The actuatorcomprises a motor that, when actuated, rotatably drives a gear thatengages the grooves on the ball element of the mirror mount, such that,when the gear rotates, the gear imparts pivotal movement of the socketelement relative to the ball element. The actuator may include twomotors and the ball element may include two sets of arcuate grooves atrespective quadrants thereof, such that the actuator can pivot themirror head upward, downward and/or sideward relative to the mirrormount.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assemblysuitable for use with the display system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of an actuator operable to pivot the mirrorhead of the mirror assembly between a display mode orientation and amirror mode orientation in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an opposite side elevation of the actuator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the actuator;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the actuator;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevations of the actuator, showing the stopelement stopping pivotal movement of the actuator in either direction;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the actuator showing the pivotalmovement of the cam elements;

FIGS. 10-13 are side elevation of the actuator showing how the cam axisand follower axis stay in line with forces;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the actuator;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the actuator;

FIGS. 16-19 are views of the motor and gear train of the actuator;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the actuator attached at a chassis of a mirrorreflective element;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are side views of the actuator and chassis and mirrorreflective element of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the actuator and chassis and mirrorreflective element of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is an end view of the actuator and chassis and mirror reflectiveelement of FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator and chassis andmirror reflective element of FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another mirror assembly with anactuator to adjust the tilt of the mirror head relative to a support ormounting structure;

FIG. 27 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of the mirrorassembly of FIG. 26;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are plan views of the mirror assembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the actuator of the mirror assembly ofFIG. 26;

FIG. 31 is another perspective view of the actuator of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of a gear engagement of the actuator;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are perspective and partial sectional views of theactuator;

FIGS. 35-40 are perspective views of the actuator, showing differentadjustments of the actuator;

FIG. 41 is another perspective view of the actuator, shown with ahousing and attachment portion disposed thereat;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an actuator, shown with an optionalposition detecting mechanism;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of another actuator of the presentinvention, shown with a memory feature;

FIG. 44 is another perspective of the actuator of FIG. 43, with theupper housing portion removed;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of the ball member of the actuator of FIG.43;

FIG. 45A is a sectional view of the ball member of FIG. 45;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the ball interface gear of theactuator;

FIG. 47 is another perspective view of the ball and gears of theactuator;

FIG. 48 is an enlarged perspective view of the anti-rotation feature ofthe actuator;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of stabilizing fingers or elements of theactuator;

FIG. 50 is a perspective partial sectional view of the actuator;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the actuator showing the geared memorypod;

FIG. 52 is a side elevation of another actuator of the mirror assemblyof the present invention, with the actuator operable to toggle orvertically adjust the rearward field of view of the mirror reflectiveelement;

FIG. 53 is a plan view of the actuator of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is an end elevation of the actuator of FIG. 52;

FIG. 55 is a sectional view of the actuator of FIG. 52;

FIG. 56 is a partial perspective view of the actuator of FIG. 52;

FIGS. 57-59 are views of mirror assemblies with full screen videodisplays and with optional user inputs;

FIG. 60 is a plan view showing optional dimensions for the location of atouch sensor of the mirror assembly;

FIGS. 61 and 62 are plan views showing the mirror in its mirror mode(FIG. 61) and in its display mode (FIG. 62);

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of another mirror assembly with userinputs;

FIG. 64 is a plan view of another mirror assembly with user inputssimilar to that of FIG. 63;

FIGS. 65-67 are plan views of reconfigurable user input touch sensorssuitable for use in the mirror assemblies of the present invention;

FIG. 68 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a mirror reflectiveelement and chassis and touch sensor of the mirror assembly, shown withan applique disposed at the touch sensor;

FIG. 69 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a mirror reflectiveelement and chassis and touch sensor of the mirror assembly, shown withan OLED display at the touch sensor;

FIG. 70 shows a plurality of optional graphical appliques for use with amirror assembly of the present invention;

FIGS. 71-76 are views of various mirror assemblies of the presentinvention, with selected appliques for the particular application of therespective mirror assembly;

FIGS. 77 and 78 are plan views of another mirror assembly, showingdisplay options to assist the user in using the user inputs or touchsensors of the mirror assembly;

FIG. 79 is a plan view of another mirror assembly, showing a compassdisplay provided by the display screen of the mirror assembly;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a mirror head with a full mirrordisplay and user inputs in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 81-84 are views of another mirror head with a full mirror displayand user inputs;

FIG. 85 is a perspective view of another mirror head with a full mirrordisplay and user inputs;

FIG. 86 is a perspective view of another mirror head with a full mirrordisplay, and with user inputs provided over a LIN bus of the vehicle,such as from a centerstack display of the vehicle;

FIG. 87 is a perspective view of another mirror head with a full mirrordisplay, and with user inputs and actuator control provided over a LINbus of the vehicle, such as from a centerstack display of the vehicle;

FIG. 88 is a sectional view of a mirror assembly with a display screendisposed in the mirror head, shown with a fan disposed in the mirrorhead to assist in circulating air in the mirror head to cool thecircuitry during operation of the display screen;

FIG. 89 is a block diagram of the software algorithm that controlsintensity of the display and transmission of display responsive toambient light and temperature;

FIG. 90 is a diagram showing the effect of the display via operation ofthe software algorithm of FIG. 89;

FIG. 91 is a graph showing LCD response time versus temperature;

FIG. 92 is a graph showing use of the backlight for self-heating;

FIG. 93 is a view of a rear window of a vehicle, with an aperture formedthrough the window for a rear camera to view through in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 94 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rear window, with aclear element disposed at the aperture for the rear camera to viewthrough the clear element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an interior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includesa casing 12 that houses a reflective element 14 and a display device,which provides a display area 16 visible to the driver of the vehiclethrough the reflective element 14 (FIG. 1). In the illustratedembodiment, the mirror assembly 10 is configured to be adjustablymounted to an interior portion of a vehicle (such as to an interior orin-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield or a headliner of a vehicle orthe like) via a mounting structure or mounting configuration or assembly18. The casing 12 of the interior rearview mirror assembly 10 may houseall or a portion of the components of the interior rearview mirrorassembly 10 and may be integrally formed with portions thereof.

The mirror head is tiltable or pivotable between a mirror modeorientation, where the reflective element is positioned to provide thedesired driver's rearward field of view, and a display mode orientation,where the mirror head is tilted upward or downward relative to themirror mode orientation, such that the display is viewable by the driverwhile the reflective element reflects light from rearward of the vehicleand incident thereon upward or downward away from the driver's eyes. Themirror head is tiltable or pivotable between the mirror mode orientationand the display mode orientation via an actuator 20 (FIGS. 2-25) that iselectrically powered to impart a pivotal movement or flipping of themirror head about a generally horizontal pivot axis.

The interior mirror thus can be used as a traditional mirror assembly,but can also be changed to a video monitor, such as through a use of atransflective surface and a high intensity display transposed behind thetransflective surface, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirrorassemblies described in U.S. Publication Nos. US-2017-0355312;US-2017-0327044; US-2017-0297498 and/or US-2016-0375833, which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 20 comprises a body 22 thathouses a motor 24 and gear elements 26, with the body pivotally mountedat a mounting plate 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the mirror reflective element.The mounting plate 28 may comprise the backing plate of the mirrorreflective element or may comprise a separate mounting plate of theactuator, such that the mounting plate is attachable at the mirror heador backing plate to mount the actuator and mounting plate as a unit inthe mirror head. In the illustrated embodiment, and such as shown inFIGS. 20-25, the actuator is attached at a back plate or chassis 28 thatis disposed at the rear of the LED board 8 and reflector 7 and filmstack 65 and foam 5 and thin film transistor (TFT) 4 of the displayscreen. The display device is disposed at a frame 3 and attached at therear of the EC cell 14 via tape 2. The motherboard or circuit board 13is disposed at the chassis 28 and an EMC shield 15 and garage dooropening device 38 (such as a HOMELINK® device or the like) are disposedin the mirror head at the circuit board and chassis.

The body 22 includes a pivot element 30 (such as a socket element) forpivotally mounting or attaching to a pivot element of a mirror mount(such as to a ball member of a mirror mount or mirror stay that isattached at the headliner of the vehicle or at an in-cabin surface ofthe vehicle windshield). The actuator includes a pivot mount 32 at eachside for pivotally mounting or attaching the actuator at the backingplate 28, and also includes cam followers 34 that have arcuate slotsthat receive a respective pin at the backing plate 28 (such as at amounting stanchion or boss at the backing plate). Thus, when the camfollowers 34 are pivoted (via actuation of the motor driving the gearelements), the pins move along the slots to pivot the body 22 and pivotelement 30 about the pivot axis at the pivot mounts 32 and relative tothe mirror backing plate (and thus relative to the mirror reflectiveelement).

The rotating cam mechanism is used to create mechanical advantage, andto provide linear movement about a fixed point. The fixed axis ofrotation (at the pivot mounts 32) creates an angle change for the bodythat is connected to the cam shaft and fixed point. The angle change isseen with regards to the body connected to the fixed point of rotation,and the cam follower. The actuator optionally includes a detent at eachend of cam groove help to lock each follower in place when the actuatorpivots the mirror head to the mirror mode orientation or the displaymode orientation, which provides added stability while under vibration.The actuator uses two closed cams to create added stability for themechanism.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 10-13, the cam axis and followeraxis stay in line with forces. This limits or prevents back drive of thegear train, and takes stresses off of the gear teeth when the actuatorand gear teeth are not in motion. Optionally, the motor and gear trainmay be disposed in the body by the socket element or (and such as shownin FIGS. 4 and 5) the motor can be shifted to a side of the actuator inorder to provide a lower profile actuator and to decrease the overallheight of the mirror head.

As shown in FIGS. 15-19, the actuator includes a DC motor 24 used inconjunction with the spur gear train 26 to transfer movement withincreased torque to the “closed cam” in order to tilt the actuator andto cause the mirror head to pivot upward or downward relative to thepivot element that mounts the mirror head at the mirror mount or stay.

Optionally, and such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the actuator includestravel stops to limit pivotal movement of the actuator in eitherdirections. In the illustrated embodiment, the travel stop 36 is locatedat a center region of the actuator and creates a load path directlybetween the mirror assembly and the mirror stay. As shown in FIG. 6,when the actuator pivots in one direction, the travel stop engages afirst stop element of the mounting plate to limit pivotal movement inthat direction and, when the actuator pivots in the other direction (asshown in FIG. 7), the travel stop engages a second stop element to limitpivotal movement in that direction. The three point loading createsoptimal connection and increased vibration stability. Optionally, anddesirably, the cam lobes do not reach the end of travel or the end ofthe arcuate grooves when the travel stop stops pivotal movement. Oncethe travel stop is hit, friction force on cams increases until the camcan no longer rotate. This offers a very sturdy connection between theactuator and the mirror assembly.

The present invention provides a display system that can display videoimages across the entire reflective surface of an interior rearviewmirror assembly. The display system may include a display devicedisposed at an upper region of the vehicle's interior cabin (or otherlocation), such that, when the mirror head is tilted or angled orotherwise mechanically adjusted, the mirror reflective element reflectsthe displayed image across the entire reflective surface for viewing bythe driver of the vehicle. Optionally, and desirably, the display systemincludes a video display screen disposed in the mirror head and viewable(when activated) through the reflective element. For example, when themirror head is adjusted to a “mirror mode”, the driver can view therearward field of view provided by the reflective element, but when themirror head is tilted or adjusted (to a “display mode”), the displayedvideo images (such as derived from image data captured by a rearwardviewing camera) are viewable by the driver of the vehicle, with thetilting of the mirror head causing the primary reflection off of thereflective element to be out of the driver's eyes (since it would beaimed up toward the headliner or down into the cabin area instead of outthe rear window).

The mirror system includes an electronically operable actuator that isoperable to adjust or pivot the mirror head between the mirror modeorientation and the display mode orientation. For example, the mirroractuator may move the mirror head to the display mode orientationresponsive to a user input or responsive to the driver shifting thevehicle into a reverse gear, whereby a rear backup camera is actuatedand the display displays video images derived from image data capturedby the rear backup camera.

The actuator thus performs the rotation of the mirror head like atraditional manual flip-tab/toggle mechanism would. The actuator pivotsthe mirror head of a full-size-video display inside mirror so the mirrorhead can be used as an interior rearview mirror (mirror mode) or as afull mirror display screen (display mode). When the user hits a switchor button, the actuator tilts the mirror and the digital display turnson. The tilting action gets the primary reflection out of the driver'seyes as it would be aimed up into the headliner or down into the cabinarea instead of out the rear window. The video display screen may spansubstantially the entire length and width of the reflective element. Forexample, the video display screen length dimension (lateral dimensionacross the vehicle when the mirror assembly is installed in the vehicle)may span at least 75 percent of the reflective element length and thevideo display screen width dimension (vertical dimension when the mirrorassembly is installed in the vehicle) may span at least 75 percent ofthe reflective element width dimension. Optionally, the video displayscreen length dimension may span at least 95 percent of the reflectiveelement length and the video display screen width dimension may span atleast 95 percent of the reflective element width dimension.

The driver thus may adjust the mirror head (via pivoting the mirror headat the pivot joint at the mirror mount or stay) to provide the desiredreflective rearward field of view through the rear window of thevehicle. After the mirror head is set in this manner, when the actuatoris actuated to pivot the mirror head to the display mode orientation,the mirror head pivots without changing the driver-selected orientationof the socket and ball member pivot joint. Thus, when the actuator isagain actuated to pivot the mirror head back to the mirror modeorientation, the mirror reflective element will again be set to thedriver's rearward viewing preference.

Optionally, the driver may manually adjust the mirror head between themirror mode orientation and the display mode orientation, such as bypivoting the mirror head in a normal manner. Optionally, the mirror headmay have a toggle or the like that toggles or flips the mirror headbetween a mirror mode and a display mode (such as a toggle thatfunctions in a similar manner as prismatic mirror toggles that flip aprismatic mirror between day and night orientations).

Optionally, the actuator that provides up/down adjustment of the mirrorhead, such as for a toggle type of adjustment for known prismaticmirrors, may comprise a micro gearhead motor so as to provide a reducedprofile or smaller package size of the actuator. For example, and suchas shown in FIGS. 52-56, an actuator 20′ comprises a body 22′ thathouses a motor 24′ and gear elements 26′, with the body pivotallymounted at the mounting plate or at a base portion 23′ attached at themounting plate of the mirror reflective element. As discussed above, themounting plate may comprise the backing plate of the mirror reflectiveelement or may comprise a separate mounting plate of the actuator, suchthat the mounting plate is attachable at the mirror head or backingplate to mount the actuator and mounting plate as a unit in the mirrorhead. The actuator 20′ may operate in a similar manner as the actuator20, discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of the operation ofthe actuator 20′ need not be discussed further herein.

Similar to the actuator 20, the body 22′ of actuator 20′ includes apivot element 30′ (such as a socket element) for pivotally mounting orattaching to a pivot element of a mirror mount (such as to a ball memberof a mirror mount or mirror stay that is attached at the headliner ofthe vehicle or at an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield). Thebody 22′ of the actuator includes a pivot mount 32′ at each side forpivotally mounting or attaching the actuator at the base portion orstructure 23′ that is attached at the backing plate 28′. The actuatorincludes cam followers that have arcuate slots that receive a respectivepin such that, when the cam followers are pivoted (via actuation of themotor driving the gear elements), the pins move along the slots to pivotthe body 22′ and pivot element 30′ about the pivot axis at the pivotmounts 32′ and relative to the mirror backing plate (and thus relativeto the mirror reflective element), such as in a similar manner asdiscussed above.

As best shown in FIGS. 55 and 56, the gear elements 26′ are packagedgenerally along the axis of the motor 24′ and packaged between the motorand an output gear 26 a′ that rotatably drives a gear 27′ that, whenrotated, imparts the pivotal movement of the body 22′ and pivot elementor socket 30′ relative to the base portion and backing plate. The motorcomprises a micro gearhead motor and the gears may comprise small metalgears to provide a more robust mechanism and to allow for a smaller areaof the actuator being designated for the gear train. The smalleractuator 20′, with its reduced profile and smaller space requirements,may provide more styling options for the mirror head.

Thus, the electronic actuator provides actuation (tilt) of the mirrorhead. Optionally, the actuator system may allow for an electronic failsafe and automatic recovery if the display fails. For example, thesystem could self-diagnose and position the mirror head back in themirror mode. The actuator may pivot the mirror head upward or downwardto position the mirror head in the orientation for either the mirrormode or the display mode. The mirror head may, for example, pivot upwardto be positioned in the display mode, such as for vehicle applicationswhere the vehicle is a convertible or has a large sunroof or moon roofor the like.

The actuator comprises a body portion or housing, with the motor andgears disposed in the housing. In the illustrated embodiments, the pivotelement or socket (or optionally a ball member) is integrated into theactuator housing. For example, the pivot element may be molded or formedas part of the actuator housing (such as via an injection moldingprocess that molds the plastic housing and socket).

The actuator (and mirror assembly) is designed to allow a manual toggleassembly to be implemented instead so as to replace the actuator. Thisallows for potential of easier mirror model updates (such as an updatefrom a manual toggle to an electronic actuator or vice versa).

Optionally, and desirably, the actuator may interface with an electronicswitch on the printed circuit board (PCB) in the mirror head fordiscrete mirror head position (mode) checks. This may be primary orredundant to a memory of the last state or direction the motor wasdriven (similar to outside mirror powerfold mirrors).

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include a mirror actuator thatcomprises a lower profile device that has a pair of motors and gearsthat operate to pivot the mirror head relative to the ball member of themounting portion or stay that mounts the mirror assembly at an interiorportion of a vehicle. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 26-42, amirror actuator 120 comprises a pair of motors 124 a, 124 b thatrotatably drive respective ball interface gears 125, which include gears125 a, 125 b that engage teeth or ridges or grooves formed at a surfaceof a ball member 118 a of the mirror mounting structure or mountingconfiguration or assembly or stay 118 (that may comprise a single pivotelement or stay, as shown, or that may comprise a double pivot mountingarrangement, such as shown in FIG. 1). Thus, a user can manually adjustthe mirror head and reflective element 116 to provide a desired rearwardview, and the actuator 120 operates to adjust the mirror head relativeto the mounting structure or stay 118, such as to pivot the mirror headto a display mode orientation for displaying videos (for viewing by thedriver of the vehicle) via the full mirror display of the mirror head.

The actuator 120 includes a base portion 128 that is mounted at anattachment plate 129 of the mirror head and houses or receives the gears125 a, 125 b therein. The actuator 120 also includes a cover or housingportion 130 that attaches at the base portion to encase the motors andgears and that provides a socket portion that pivotally mounts andretains the mirror head at the ball member 118 a.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 30, the mirror head and actuator120 are locked from rotating relative to the stay 118 about the Z axis(the axis along the stay and generally normal to or angled relative tothe mirror back plate) via an anti-rotation feature, which, in theillustrated embodiment, comprises a tab 121 a that is received in a slotor channel or groove 121 b of the ball member 118 a. The mirror head andactuator are allowed to rotate about the X and Y axes (that are normalto one another and generally parallel to the mirror back plate). Whenthe mirror head pivots about the X axis, gear 125 b rotates and the gearteeth line up with the slots or grooves in the ball member 118 a of thestay 118 and mesh like a set of spur gears. As the mirror head pivotsabout the X axis, the teeth of gear 125 b are allowed to slide along theslots or grooves in the ball member 118 a. At any given position, thegear teeth engage and hold the ball, while still allowing rotationaround both the X and Y axes.

The arcuate shape of the grooves allow for pivotal movement of themirror head relative to the ball member about a respective axis, withthe two arcuate shaped groove sets being arranged at or centered atorthogonal axes (e.g., the X and Y axes of FIG. 30), to allow forpivoting of the mirror head in several directions. For example, and suchas shown in FIGS. 36-41, the mirror head and actuator may pivot invarious directions relative to the ball member, responsive to manualpivoting of the mirror head and/or rotational driving of one or both ofthe gears 125 via the respective motors 124 a, 124 b. The anti-rotationfeature 121 a, 121 b allows for some play of the tab 121 a in the slot121 b, to allow for the adjustment about the X and Y axes while limitingrotation of the mirror head relative to the ball member and stay aboutthe Z axis. The spherically toothed gear provides tooth interfaces thatare 90 degrees to each other about the center axis of the ball. The ballincludes or is formed with or attached to the mirror base or stay forattaching at the vehicle (such as at the windshield or the like).

As shown in FIG. 45, the ball at the end of the stay comprises a spherewith two gear interfaces cut into it. The two gear interfaces arepositioned orthogonal to each other (about the Z axis) and mirroredabout the center line of the ball.

As shown in FIG. 46, the ball interface gears include a spur gear 125 a,125 b with tapered and rounded edges, in order to help facilitate themovement of the ball/stay. This allows for a more consistent connectionbetween the stay and gear due to the curved nature of the teeth on theball.

In the assembly, the interface gear is positioned at the midline of theball. When just one motor rotates its gear, the currently rotatinginterface gear moves linearly across the ball teeth. The ball/stayrotates by pivoting about the center point of the teeth on the otherside, and the teeth of the ball slide along the non-rotating interfacegear. When two motors rotate the respective gears, both interface gearsmove up/down the teeth of the ball. The path followed by the gearing isan arc, instead of the straight line followed in other spur gear setups.

In order to keep the ball end of the stay from rotating in an undesiredfashion, the anti-rotation feature is provided. If the ball were allowedto rotate about the Z axis, the gear interfaces would come out ofalignment and potentially allow the mirror head to be positioned at anincorrect angle within the vehicle. There are two features in the lowerhousing of the actuator that prevent rotation in the Z axis. The ballhas two slots 121 b located 180 degrees to each other located on themirror plane for the ball. The lower housing has two cylindrical poststhat ride in the slots of the ball. These posts are located at themidline of the ball and allow for an unhindered rotation around all butthe Z axis. The two posts are used to create symmetric forces about theball so that the ball movement is as smooth as possible and to help withwear prevention.

The actuator may also include a torque increasing element or stabilityenhancer. For example, and such as can be seen in FIGS. 33 and 49, thelower housing may include pedals or fingers 134 that have aninterference fit with the ball. This creates an increased friction forceon the ball and helps with actuator stability in its static state.

The gears 125 are attached to rotary potentiometers that can accuratelymeasure the position of the mirror head relative to the stay given thedirect connection between the gears and the ball member. The positioncan be memorized after a manual (or actuator) adjustment, and return tothat position a later time. Thus, a user or driver can set theorientation of the mirror head to provide a desired rearward field ofview for the mirror function and may save that position or orientation.The actuator may automatically pivot a selected or preset amount topivot from the saved mirror function or mirror mode orientation to adisplay mode orientation (where the mirror head is pivoted downward andmore toward the driver's head region to provide more direct viewing ofthe display of the mirror), such as when the display is actuated todisplay video images. Optionally, the driver may store the mirror modeorientation in memory and may set the mirror head to the display modeorientation and may store that orientation in memory as well, wherebythe actuator may pivot to either of the stored orientations responsiveto a respective user input or triggering event or the like.

The gear geometry of the actuator provides increased connection betweenthe gears and the ball member of the stay, which also provides improvedstability and precision and decreased free play. The slot or groovegeometry in the ball member more accurately follows correct travel. Theactuator provides improved housings and added fingers to decrease freeplay and increase ball torque. The actuator may comprise twoanti-rotation fingers or tabs with about 0.5 mm interference with thegroove or channel in the ball member. The actuator may comprise CNCparts to allow for manual adjustment, such that the mirror head can beadjusted by hand and its driver-selected position stored in memory.

The actuator 120 thus provides a smaller overall package size, andoffers a memory function and manual adjustment. The actuator alsofunctions to move the mirror head relative to the ball instead ofadjusting the mirror head relative to the socket. The actuator mayprovide improved vibration performance, and the pivot distance from theball to the reflective element does not change when the mirror head isadjusted. The actuator provides a lower profile actuator, which in turnallows for better aesthetics housing, since the housing does not need toaccommodate a changing pivot distance.

The memory function may comprise any suitable device that stores thegear position of both gears 125 a, 125 b when a particular mirror headadjustment is made. For example, the memory function may comprise arotary wiper or a potentiometer and a gear element that rotates witheach gear 125 a, 125 b and stores the degree of rotation for the desiredor set position. Optionally, for example, the memory feature maycomprise a geared memory pod 132 that engages the end of one of the ballinterface gears (see FIGS. 42-44, 47 and 51). Although shown as havingone memory pod at one of the ball interface gears, the actuator wouldinclude a memory pod at the end of each of the ball interface gears,whereby the two memory pods would determine and save the various setpositions of the actuator. The geared memory pod (rotary potentiometer)thus can be directly connected to the ball interface gear. Having adirect connection between the memory and the gear that drives the ballprevents the possibility of the memory getting out of sync with the restof the actuator. This also removes some play or looseness from thesystem and leads to more accurate positioning. A direct drive actuationalso removes the need for a clutch mechanism. This also reduces overallactuator noise. Although shown as having one memory pod at one of theball interface gears, the actuator would include a memory pod at the endof each of the ball interface gears, whereby the two memory pods woulddetermine and save the various set positions of the actuator. The gearelements may comprise plastic elements or metallic elements (such asaluminum or steel or the like), and a dry lubricant may be applied atthe gears to reduce wear and noise during operation of the actuator.

The actuator may include a worm drive with a clutch that allows formanual adjustment of the mirror head, such as via manual efforts ofaround 1 Nm or thereabouts (or maybe more). The ball member may compriseany suitable ball member size, such as about 30 mm diameter (or more orless depending on the particular application and mirror head weight).

Thus, the actuator comprises a compact or low profile actuator that is amodular design that allows for use in various mirror styles. Theactuator positions the mirror head via electrical or manual adjustment,and includes memory that is directly connected to movement mechanism (toavoid getting lost or unsynchronized). The mirror can be adjustedmanually and the position can be stored using the memory. Once stored,the position can be returned to when desired through button press orother means. The direct drive memory provides a more accurate memorystorage and setting. Also, the actuator does not include clutching (sothere is no ratcheting noise, and more accurate positioning). Theactuator uses a gear train connected directly to the motor(s) in orderto reduce package size.

Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 50, the actuator is designed toallow the mirror wiring to pass through the stay to the vehicle (forconnection with a vehicle wire harness). This aids in wire protectionand offers a more visually appealing mirror. This also prevents thewiring from getting into the actuator gearing.

In the illustrated embodiments, the motors are oriented approximately 45degrees from the up/down and in/out axes of rotation, with both motorsdriven to provide a straight up/down or in/out movement. The actuatorcomprises a manual adjustment means or mechanism that allows a user tomanually adjust the mirror head. The manual adjustment mechanism maycomprise a clutch mechanism or back driving of the gears and motors whenthe mirror head is manually adjusted.

The display device is operable to display video images (such as derivedfrom image data captured by one or more cameras of the vehicle, such asone or more cameras having rearward and/or sideward exterior fields ofview and/or one or more cameras having interior fields of view in thecabin of the vehicle) when the mirror head is in its display modeorientation. The display device or module may utilize aspects of themodules described in International Publication No. WO 2016/178190 and/orU.S. Publication No. US-2014-0285666, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

The display screen preferably displays the captured video images at theentire viewable portion of the display screen, in order to providerelatively large displayed images for viewing by the driver of thevehicle while the driver is normally operating the vehicle. In theillustrated embodiment, the user inputs are touch or proximity sensorsdisposed at a portion of the display screen. The video display screen,when normally operating to display video images captured by the camera,may display the video images over the entire display portion or activeportion of the display screen and, responsive to a user input (such as auser or driver touching a portion of the display screen or touchscreen), may display icons or indicia at a portion of the display screento indicate where the user can touch to actuate or control the displaysettings or the like. The user inputs or touch sensors may comprise anysuitable sensors or inputs, and may utilize aspects of the inputs andsensors described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,224,324; 7,253,723; 7,255,451and/or 8,154,418, and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2012/051500;WO 2010/124064; WO 2011/044312; WO 2013/071070 and/or WO 2013/126719,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, for example, an interior rearview mirror assembly with afull screen display may not include any user inputs or buttons orsensors, such as shown in FIG. 57. Optionally, the interior mirror anddisplay assembly may include touch sensors or buttons (such ascapacitive touch sensors or buttons) disposed along a lower portion ofthe mirror bezel, such as shown in FIG. 58, or along a widened lowerportion of the bezel (such as shown in FIG. 59). Optionally, a singletouch sensor or button or user input may be provided at the mirror, andmay be customized for the particular vehicle or application or the like,such as shown in FIGS. 72-76.

Optionally, and desirably, the touch sensor is disposed behind themirror reflective element and with 10 mm above the lower perimeter edgeof the rear substrate (such as shown in FIG. 60). The touch sensor maybe disposed in such a 10 mm band and kept from the plastic housing anddisposed inboard of (or above) the radiused perimeter edge (such as arounded or curved or radiused edge having about a 2.8 mm radius or 2.5mm radius or thereabouts).

Optionally, the touch sensor may comprise an HSS™ touch recognitionsensor, such as available from AlSentis® of Holland, Mich. The touchsensor may be packaged in front of a stainless steel chassis (see FIG.68). The mirror may utilize an FPC board (flexible printed circuitboard) for the touch sensor assembly. Optionally, the touch ASIC may bepopulated on the touch sensor assembly. Optionally, an I2C communicationto the main PCB may communicate touch, communicate glare information(from a glare sensor) and may communicate the touch sensor assemblystatus. The touch sensor assembly may include back light touch buttonswith edge lit LEDs. The “touch” confirmation may be displayed in the TFTdisplay above the sensor or button.

Optionally, a less sensitive or reduced sensitivity analog glare sensormay be used on the touch sensor assembly. Such a glare sensor mayfunction sufficiently if the applique in front of the sensor is ablated.The system may use the same analog sensor for ambient light sensing.

As shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, the mirror may function in a mirror mode(FIG. 61), where the display is deactivated and the driver viewsrearward via reflection at the mirror reflector of the reflectiveelement, or the mirror may function in a display mode (FIG. 62), wherethe display is activated and the driver views the displayed images atthe mirror reflective element. The changes between mirror mode anddisplay mode may be responsive to a user input, and the mirror head mayautomatically pivot (via an actuator of the mirror assembly) to theappropriate orientation for the selected mode, such as described above.The images displayed may be derived from image data captured by arearward viewing camera of the vehicle, such as a rear backup camera,and may provide the field of view similar to what is provided by themirror reflector when the mirror is in its mirror mode (such as byutilizing aspects of the systems described in International PublicationNo. WO 2017/191558, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety).

Optionally, the user inputs may comprise reconfigurable user inputs ortouch sensors that provide different features for the mirror, dependingon the particular application of the mirror assembly. For example, andsuch as shown in FIGS. 63 and 64, a mirror assembly may provide a garagedoor opening function (with three buttons or inputs or sensors forcontrolling garage door openers, a menu or information button or inputor sensor, a power button or input or sensor (such as for turning on oroff the EC function of the mirror or a light or the like of the mirror),and a video display on/off button or input or sensor (for manuallyswitching between the mirror mode and display mode). As shown in FIG.64, the mirror and sensor system may include a glare light sensor forsensing glare light from rearward of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 65, the sensor input may comprise a strip withcircuitry established thereat to provide multiple touch input areas,each individually accessed by circuitry of the system. The strip mayinclude the glare light sensor for the mirror and a side light emittingLED to backlight or illuminate the icons or indicia or text at the touchinput areas. The strip or assembly may also include circuitry fordriving the dimming of the electrochromic mirror cell, such asresponsive to the glare light sensor and an ambient light sensor, withthe EC cell connections shown at opposite ends of the strip or assembly.Optionally, and as can be seen in FIG. 66, the inputs are reconfigurableto provide different inputs or buttons. For example, and such as shownin FIG. 66, inputs 1 and 2 are actuated together, while input 3 and themenu input are actuated together and the two power inputs are actuatedtogether. This allows the system to provide larger input or touch areasfor particular inputs, with the appropriate applique or reconfigurabledisplay element at the touch inputs providing the appropriateinformation or icons for viewing by the user so the user knows what thevarious buttons control. The reconfigurable button design can changeduring manufacturing assembly, or in the vehicle. The system may haveless buttons in certain modes. Also, by using software to make changes,there is more flexibility to supply to different OEMs. Optionally, andsuch as shown in FIG. 67, a larger area may be provided for a singletouch area, which can be made more sensitive and helps the driver moreeasily find and activate or deactivate the display feature.

Thus, the FPC includes circuitry that provides a combined touch sensorassembly and an EC drive voltage provider, and backlighting feature(backlighting the inputs) and a glare light sensor for the EC drivecircuitry. These are all provided in a single strip or element orassembly. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 65, 66 and 67, themultiple pads of the user inputs are individually addressable and arereconfigurable such that each pad may represent a particular input ortwo or more pads may provide a common particular input (for example, theFPC of FIG. 65 is programmed so each input pad is individually addressedso as to provide six different functions, while the FPC of FIG. 66 isprogramed so each adjacent pair of input pads are addressed together soas to provide three different functions, and the FPC of FIG. 67 isprogrammed so all of the input pads are addressed together as a singleuser input). The input reconfiguration is done via software, whichreprograms how the inputs are accessed so that two or more of the inputscould operate together. The FPC is shown in FIGS. 65-67 without theoverlay or applique. The shown FPC may comprise a universal inputelement or assembly for a variety of vehicle applications, and then thesoftware may be adjusted to provide the desired outputs of the sensorsfor a particular vehicle application (and the universal FPC assembly maybe programmed for the desired application and may be married with anappropriate or selected applique).

As shown in FIG. 68, the touch sensors may be disposed at an overhangregion where the front glass substrate extends beyond the rear glasssubstrate. The touch sensor strip comprises a gasket, a flexible printedcircuit (FPC) layer (with circuitry established thereat), a light guidefilm, a diffuser and a graphical applique. The graphical applique isselected to indicate the selected touch features provided by the touchsensors (as may be programmed via software for the particularapplication). Optionally, optically clear adhesive may be used tolaminate one or more layers together. The graphical applique may havepartial adhesive applied to adhere and seal against the rear surface ofthe front glass substrate.

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 69, the touch sensor may have an OLEDdisplay disposed in front of the FPC layer (replacing the light guidefilm, diffuser and graphical applique of FIG. 68). The OLED (organiclight emitting diode) display comprises a pixelated reconfigurabledisplay, such that the touch interface is an active changeable display,and can be programmed or modified to display the appropriate or selectedicons at the touch region, depending on the particular application andfunction of the FPC layer and touch sensors. With such a configuration,the user inputs may be adjusted to provide various functions, such asresponsive to actuation of a particular one of the inputs, whereby theOLED changes its displayed information or icons to correspond to thethen current function of the user inputs. For example, the inputassembly may initially have all of the inputs accessible together toprovide a single input for actuating the video display. Once the videodisplay is activated, the inputs may provide different functions, suchas for dimming the display or zooming in or out or the like, whereby theOLED display changes to display different icons at the user inputassembly.

As discussed above, the mirror may use selected ones of a variety ofgraphical overlays to provide the desired appearance for the mirrorassembly. The touch sensor construction allows for easily changing thegraphical applique layer. The reconfigurable buttons will maintainoptimization for manufacturing and user interface to the touch buttons.As shown in FIGS. 70-76, different appliques may display or showdifferent vehicle manufacturers or different vehicle styles or productlines, and optionally, various custom appliques may be offered forcustomizing or personalizing the appearance of the mirror assembly. Theicons or words or brand/model information shown at the applique may becolored or printed to provide the desired appearance when backlit orwhen illuminated via ambient light.

Optionally, the display screen may operate to show additionalinformation or menu options, such as above respective buttons or iconsof the touch input area. For example, and such as can be seen withreference to FIGS. 77 and 78, the LCD video display is activated (FIG.78) to show menu options, so as to provide the user with cognitiveawareness of what the inputs control or adjust. Thus, a user may touchthe on/off input for turning on the display, and then, with the “DIM +”and “DIM −” displayed above inputs 2 and 3, the user can dim thedisplayed images by pressing or touching input 3 one or more times toachieve the desired brightness of the displayed images. The displaybacklight may be turned on near the menu area instead of the entirearea. The display may be used for instructions about the user inputs orabout other vehicle systems or features. Optionally, actuation of one ofthe user inputs may cause the user inputs to be changed (via software)to provide different functions or features.

Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 79, the video display may alsooperate to display compass information or temperature information or thelike (and that information may be displayed when the mirror is in themirror mode or the camera mode). For example, optional vehicleInformation that may be displayed by the mirror display includes compassinformation, temperature information, tire pressure information, cautionmessages (such as low oil, low fuel, and/or the like), infotainmentmessages and/or traffic sign detection information and/or the like.Optionally, the information display can change color based on videocontent or it can be opaque or partially transparent, or the displayedinformation can change size based on user preferences or can be locatedspecifically for right-hand drive vehicles or left-hand drive vehicles.

Optionally, the mirror head may include user actuatable buttons at themirror casing instead of touch sensors at the reflective element. Forexample, and such as shown in FIG. 80, the mirror head may includebuttons along the lower region of the mirror casing, such as at thebottom-left underside of the mirror head. As shown in FIG. 80, themirror head may include a logo or brand icon or artwork or the likeshown in a window area at the lower region of the reflective element.The glare sensor may be disposed within the logo applique window andbehind the glass substrate of the reflective element. If the mirrorreflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflectiveelement, the electrification or electrical connection to the elementand/or electrochromic driver circuitry may be integrated into the sensorand logo backlight assembly.

Optionally, and such as shown in FIGS. 81-84, the mirror head mayinclude buttons along the lower region of the mirror casing, such as atthe bottom-left underside of the mirror head, and may have a glaresensor disposed at the bottom center region of the reflective elementand behind the glass substrate of the reflective element (where a windowor light transmissive region may be micro-ablated in a perimeter band orchrome band around the periphery of the reflective element). If themirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflectiveelement, the electrification or electrical connection to the elementand/or electrochromic driver circuitry may be integrated into the sensorassembly.

Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 85, the mirror head may includebuttons along the lower region of the mirror casing, such as at thebottom-left underside of the mirror head, and may have a glare sensordisposed at the bottom region of the mirror near the buttons (with alight guide to redirect the glare light about 90 degrees). If the mirrorreflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflectiveelement, the electrification or electrical connection to the elementand/or electrochromic driver circuitry may be at a printed circuit board(such as the PCB at which the buttons/switches are disposed), with wirejumpers from the PCB soldered to electrochromic cell tabs.

Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 86, the mirror head may not havebuttons or inputs thereat, whereby the user inputs or button inputs maybe disposed elsewhere in the vehicle (such as at a vehicle centerstackdisplay), and the signals provided via actuation of the buttons orinputs may be provided to the mirror head via a LIN bus or other vehiclecommunication network. Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 87, themirror head may include an actuator of the types described above (nomanual toggle), and the user inputs and actuator control may be providedto the mirror head via a LIN bus or other vehicle communication network.For example, a user may adjust the mirror head orientation via actuationof an actuator control at a center stack display of the vehicle.

Optionally, due to the heat generated by the circuitry and LEDs duringoperation of the video display, the mirror assembly preferably includesmeans for cooling the air inside the mirror head. For example, and suchas shown in FIG. 88, thermally conductive filler material may be appliedduring molding of plastic housing. Such filler material may comprise athermally conductive injection moldable resin, such as commerciallyavailable from Celanese, which manufactures injection moldable resinsnamed “COOLPOLY”. Covestro manufactures “Makrolon TC8030” thermallyconductive polycarbonate. Sabic manufactures a line of thermallyconductive plastics with the “KONDUIT” branding. Other suitablematerials may be used. The use of such materials helps to increase theeffective area for thermal radiation of the mirror's internal heat. Inaddition, a fan (FIG. 88) may be disposed inside the at least partiallysealed mirror housing and can re-distribute or circulate the high heatfrom the LED backlight more quickly towards the plastic housing'sinternal surface. Use of such a fan improves upon the naturallyconducted thermal transfer to the mirror housing. The fan may circulateair within the enclosed mirror head to enhance cooling as the air iscirculated to the thermally conductive plastic. The

LCD displays have known performance changes over temperature, in whichthe response time slows down as the temperature decreases. Response timeis the time required for the LCD pixel to transition from fully black tofully white. During night conditions, the display backlight is reduced,so that the user is not annoyed by an overly bright display. However,when initially using the display at colder nighttime conditions, thebacklight during night time use would not be sufficient enough toself-heat the display. Thus, the transmission of the display may bereduced so that the backlighting may be increased (without blinding orbothering a person viewing the mirror display). This improvement wouldallow the backlight to be increased to a level where the internalheating could be effective. By reducing the transmission of the LCD atcold temperatures, the display backlight can be correspondinglyincreased. Such corresponding control of the backlight and the displayscreen can be achieved by an algorithm such as that shown in FIG. 89.The algorithm may operate continuously while the display is active. Asthe mirror's internal temperature increases (as may be determined via athermistor in the mirror head), the amount of temperature compensationwill dynamically change both LCD transmission and backlight. Theincreased backlight current will cause the LCD display's temperature toincrease, and also will reduce the response time. Since the LCDtransmission can be reduced and the backlight increased, the user of thedisplay would be unable to detect the changes (see FIG. 90). The systemwould dynamically change both the backlight and transmission as theLCD's temperature changed over time. The LCD's temperature could bemonitored by a silicon diode on the LCD glass panel, or as a secondaryeffect of another LCD monitoring circuit. FIG. 91 shows the LCD responsetime as it varies at different temperatures (particularly coldertemperatures below 20 degrees C.). FIG. 92 shows the percentage of a PWMduty cycle of the backlighting device as it varies at differenttemperatures (particularly colder temperatures below 20 degrees C.).

Various methods may be used to modify transmission of the LCD screen.For example, the system may reduce the maximum of RGB signal to the LCDpanel, where (R, G, B) signals may be reduced from (255, 255, 255) to(200, 200, 200) or thereabouts. Optionally, the system may modify LCDpanel voltages, such as, for example, change the voltage from +/−8 V to+/−6 V or thereabouts.

Optionally, the display may utilize aspects of the displays of the typesdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or 6,329,925, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, and/or ofdisplay-on-demand or transflective type displays, such as the typesdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,855,755; 7,777,611; 7,626,749; 7,581,859;7,446,924; 7,446,650; 7,370,983; 7,338,177; 7,274,501; 7,255,451;7,195,381; 7,184,190; 6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or inU.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, and/or International PublicationNo. WO 2004/058540, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. The display may be viewable through thereflective element when the display is activated to display information.

Optionally, a camera and/or a non-image sensor may be disposed in thevehicle that views or senses through the windshield of the vehicle orthrough the rear window of the vehicle. Optionally, the windshieldand/or rear window may include a clear portion (non-tinted) to enhanceviewing or sensing by the camera/sensor (such as by utilizing aspects ofthe systems described in U.S. Publication No. US-2017-0355312, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The basicconcept is to allow as much light to get to the camera as possible.Often, for example, rear windows are tinted so as to have a dark tintthat is typically impregnated into the glass, which hinders mounting therearward viewing camera inside the rear window. By having a smallportion or window within the window that did not have this tint, thismounting position could be better utilized. Also, by having the camerahere, it could be kept free of contamination and water droplets as itwould be cleaned by the rear window wiper/sprayer system.

For example, and such as shown in FIGS. 93 and 94, a rear window of avehicle includes a perimeter opaque or light absorbing layer or fritlayer with a heater grid. The camera may be disposed at an upper orlower central region of the window panel and behind the perimeter fritlayer, with an aperture formed through the frit layer where the camerais disposed. The glass of the window panel is also preferablysubstantially untinted at the aperture, such that the camera viewsthrough substantially transparent or clear glass.

Thus, the camera may be located inside the vehicle at the rear window sothat the camera is in a wipe zone of a rear wiper and is not subjectedto the outside environment, such as snow, ice, mud, salt and/or thelike. The rear window has the privacy tint eliminated in front of thecamera to reduce or minimize signal to noise degradation of the camerasignal. If the privacy tint is not eliminated, then optionally a holemay be formed in the rear window similar to a wiper blade hole. Thetradeoff is the signal to noise ratio is degraded with the cameralocated on the inside of the vehicle and looking through the tintedglass of the rear window. By cutting a hole in the rear window andsealing the hole with a clear lens, the window tinting is removed infront of the camera and thus does not degrade the camera performance.FIGS. 93 and 94 show a concept based on a hole in the rear window in thewiper zone, with FIG. 93 showing a rear window with the wiper hole at anupper central region of the window panel.

Also, in order to optimize camera performance (and thus displayperformance), the rear camera may operate to capture image data atdifferent frame rates depending on the ambient light levels at thevehicle. For example, in order to optimize day time image performancethe camera may capture and output 60 FPS for the video display (whichprovides improved daytime images and minimizes any visual lag in thedisplay that is viewed by the driver of the vehicle). Optionally, forexample, in order to improve night time performance at low lightingconditions, the camera may capture and output 30 FPS for an improvedsignal to noise ratio (which provides improved nighttime images andprovides additional exposure time for camera light gathering). Thesystem may include an algorithm that automatically switches from 30 FPSto 60 FPS and from 60 FPS to 30 FPS based on ambient lighting conditions(as may be determined via image processing of captured image data or viaa separate ambient light sensor at the vehicle).

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said interiorrearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror head accommodating areflective element; wherein said reflective element comprises a glasssubstrate having a surface thereof coated with a transflective mirrorreflector; a mounting structure comprising a mounting base configured toattach at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with said interiorrearview mirror assembly; wherein said mirror head is pivotally mountedat said mounting structure via a pivot joint, and wherein said pivotjoint comprises a ball element of said mounting structure and a socketelement of said mirror head; a display device accommodated in saidmirror head and disposed behind said reflective element, wherein saiddisplay device comprises a video display screen that, when actuated,displays video images viewable through said transflective mirrorreflector of said reflective element; wherein, when said display deviceis not actuated, said transflective mirror reflector renders presence ofsaid video display screen covert; wherein said reflective element has alength dimension and a width dimension, and wherein said video displayscreen has a length dimension and a width dimension, and wherein thelength dimension of said video display screen is at least 75 percent ofthe length dimension of said reflective element, and wherein the widthdimension of said video display screen is at least 75 percent of thewidth dimension of said reflective element; wherein, with said mountingbase of said mounting structure attached at the interior portion of thevehicle, said reflective element is tiltable between a mirror modeorientation, where said reflective element is positioned to provide arearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle, and a display modeorientation, where said reflective element is tilted relative to themirror mode orientation; wherein, with said mounting base of saidmounting structure attached at the interior portion of the vehicle, andwhen said reflective element is in the display mode orientation, (i)said video display screen is actuated and video images displayed by saidvideo display screen are viewable by the driver of the vehicle and (ii)said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element reflectslight incident thereon away from the driver's eyes; wherein thedisplayed video images are derived from image data captured by a cameraof the vehicle viewing exterior the vehicle; wherein, with said mountingbase of said mounting structure attached at the interior portion of thevehicle, and when said reflective element is in the mirror modeorientation, (i) said video display screen is not actuated and (ii)light incident on said transflective mirror reflector of said reflectiveelement is reflected toward the driver's eyes; wherein said mirror headaccommodates an actuator; wherein said actuator comprises a motordisposed at an actuator body, and wherein said actuator body comprisessaid socket element that pivotally receives said ball element toadjustably mount said mirror head at said ball element of said mountingstructure; and wherein said actuator body is pivotally mounted at therear of said reflective element, and wherein said actuator, when saidmotor is electrically powered, pivots said reflective element relativeto said actuator body to tilt said reflective element between the mirrormode orientation and the display mode orientation.
 2. The interiorrearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises acam that is rotatably driven by said motor, and wherein said cam engagesa guide element disposed at the rear of said reflective element, andwherein said motor, when electrically powered, rotates said cam wherebymovement of said cam relative to said guide element pivots said actuatorbody relative to said reflective element.
 3. The interior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 2, wherein said cam comprises an arcuate slotand said guide element comprises a guide pin, and wherein said arcuateslot receives said guide pin, and wherein said motor, when electricallypowered, rotates said cam whereby said guide pin moves along saidarcuate slot to pivot said actuator body relative to said reflectiveelement.
 4. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 3, whereinsaid actuator body is pivotable about a pivot axis at the rear of saidreflective element.
 5. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 4,wherein said pivot axis is at a first end of said actuator body, andwherein said cam is at a second end of said actuator body opposite fromthe first end of said actuator body.
 6. The interior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 5, wherein said actuator comprises a pair of cams,each at opposite sides of the second end of said actuator body.
 7. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein said guide pin isdisposed at a stanchion protruding rearward from a backing plateattached at a rear surface of said reflective element.
 8. The interiorrearview mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein the arcuate slot isflattened at each end to provide a detent to hold said reflectiveelement at the respective mirror mode orientation and display modeorientation.
 9. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1,wherein said actuator comprises a first travel stop that limits pivotalmovement of said actuator body relative to said reflective element whensaid reflective element is pivoted to the mirror mode orientation, andwherein said actuator comprises a second travel stop that limits pivotalmovement of said actuator body relative to said reflective element whensaid reflective element is pivoted to the mirror mode orientation. 10.The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein said actuatorbody comprises a stop element that protrudes from a side of saidactuator body, and wherein said first and second travel stops comprisefirst and second stop surfaces of a stanchion protruding rearward at therear of said reflective element, and wherein said stop element engagessaid first travel stop when said reflective element is pivoted to themirror mode orientation, and wherein said stop element engages saidsecond travel stop when said reflective element is pivoted to thedisplay mode orientation.
 11. The interior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said socket element is integrated in said actuatorbody.
 12. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein saidactuator is electrically powered to pivot said reflective element towardthe display mode orientation responsive to the vehicle shifting to areverse gear.
 13. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1,wherein the length dimension of said video display screen is at least 95percent of the length dimension of said reflective element, and whereinthe width dimension of said video display screen is at least 95 percentof the width dimension of said reflective element.
 14. The interiorrearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said reflective elementcomprises an electrochromic reflective element comprising a front glasssubstrate having first and second surfaces and a rear glass substratehaving third and fourth surfaces, with an electrochromic medium disposedbetween said second surface of said front glass substrate and said thirdsurface of said rear glass substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal,and wherein said glass substrate comprises said rear glass substrate,and wherein said transflective mirror reflector is coated at said thirdsurface of said rear glass substrate and in contact with saidelectrochromic medium.
 15. The interior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises a prismaticreflective element.
 16. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim1, wherein said mirror head comprises a touch sensor disposed behindsaid reflective element, wherein said touch sensor is actuatedresponsive to proximity of a user's finger at a front surface of saidreflective element.
 17. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim1, said mirror head comprises a plurality of touch sensors disposedbehind said reflective element, wherein each of said touch sensors isactuated responsive to proximity of a user's finger at a front surfaceof said reflective element to the respective touch sensor.
 18. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 17, wherein each of saidtouch sensors, when actuated, provides a control output for a respectivefunction.
 19. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 18, whereinthe control output of each of said touch sensors is reconfigurable for aplurality of functions.
 20. An interior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirrorhead accommodating a reflective element; wherein said reflective elementcomprises an electrochromic reflective element comprising a front glasssubstrate having first and second surfaces and a rear glass substratehaving third and fourth surfaces, with an electrochromic medium disposedbetween said second surface of said front glass substrate and said thirdsurface of said rear glass substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;wherein said second surface of said front glass substrate is coated witha transparent conductive coating, and wherein said third surface of saidrear glass substrate is coated with a transflective mirror reflector,and wherein said transparent conductive coating and said transflectivemirror reflector contact said electrochromic medium; a mountingstructure comprising a mounting base configured to attach at an interiorportion of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirrorassembly; wherein said mirror head is pivotally mounted at said mountingstructure via a pivot joint, and wherein said pivot joint comprises afirst pivot element of said mounting structure and a second pivotelement of said mirror head; a display device accommodated in saidmirror head and disposed behind said reflective element, wherein saiddisplay device comprises a video display screen that, when actuated,displays video images viewable through said transflective mirrorreflector of said reflective element; wherein, when said display deviceis not actuated, said transflective mirror reflector renders presence ofsaid video display screen covert; wherein said reflective element has alength dimension and a width dimension, and wherein said video displayscreen has a length dimension and a width dimension, and wherein thelength dimension of said video display screen is at least 75 percent ofthe length dimension of said reflective element, and wherein the widthdimension of said video display screen is at least 75 percent of thewidth dimension of said reflective element; wherein, with said mountingbase of said mounting structure attached at the interior portion of thevehicle, said reflective element is tiltable between a mirror modeorientation, where said reflective element is positioned to provide arearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle, and a display modeorientation, where said reflective element is tilted relative to themirror mode orientation; wherein, with said mounting base of saidmounting structure attached at the interior portion of the vehicle, andwhen said reflective element is in the display mode orientation, (i)said video display screen is actuated and video images displayed by saidvideo display screen are viewable by the driver of the vehicle and (ii)said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element reflectslight incident thereon away from the driver's eyes; wherein thedisplayed video images are derived from image data captured by a cameraof the vehicle viewing exterior the vehicle; wherein, with said mountingbase of said mounting structure attached at the interior portion of thevehicle, and when said reflective element is in the mirror modeorientation, (i) said video display screen is not actuated and (ii)light incident on said transflective mirror reflector of said reflectiveelement is reflected toward the driver's eyes; wherein said mirror headaccommodates an actuator; wherein said actuator comprises a motordisposed at an actuator body, and wherein said actuator body comprisessaid second pivot element that pivotally attaches at said first pivotelement to adjustably mount said mirror head at said first pivot elementof said mounting structure; wherein said actuator body is pivotallymounted at the rear of said reflective element, and wherein saidactuator, when said motor is electrically powered, pivots saidreflective element relative to said actuator body to tilt saidreflective element between the mirror mode orientation and the displaymode orientation; and wherein said actuator comprises a first travelstop that limits pivotal movement of said actuator body relative to saidreflective element when said reflective element is pivoted to the mirrormode orientation, and wherein said actuator comprises a second travelstop that limits pivotal movement of said actuator body relative to saidreflective element when said reflective element is pivoted to the mirrormode orientation.
 21. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 20,wherein said actuator comprises a cam that is rotatably driven by saidmotor, and wherein said cam engages a guide element disposed at the rearof said reflective element, and wherein said motor, when electricallypowered, rotates said cam whereby movement of said cam relative to saidguide element pivots said actuator body relative to said reflectiveelement.
 22. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 21, whereinsaid cam comprises an arcuate slot and said guide element comprises aguide pin, and wherein said arcuate slot receives said guide pin, andwherein said motor, when electrically powered, rotates said cam wherebysaid guide pin moves along said arcuate slot to pivot said actuator bodyrelative to said reflective element.
 23. The interior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 22, wherein said actuator body is pivotable about apivot axis at the rear of said reflective element.
 24. The interiorrearview mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein said pivot axis is at afirst end of said actuator body, and wherein said cam is at a second endof said actuator body opposite from the first end of said actuator body.25. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 24, wherein saidactuator comprises a pair of cams, each at opposite sides of the secondend of said actuator body.
 26. The interior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 22, wherein said guide pin is disposed at a stanchion protrudingrearward from a backing plate attached at a rear surface of saidreflective element.
 27. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim22, wherein the arcuate slot is flattened at each end to provide adetent to hold said reflective element at the respective mirror modeorientation and display mode orientation.
 28. The interior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 20, wherein said actuator body comprises a stopelement that protrudes from a side of said actuator body, and whereinsaid first and second travel stops comprise first and second stopsurfaces of a stanchion protruding rearward at the rear of saidreflective element, and wherein said stop element engages said firsttravel stop when said reflective element is pivoted to the mirror modeorientation, and wherein said stop element engages said second travelstop when said reflective element is pivoted to the display modeorientation.
 29. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 20,wherein said actuator is electrically powered to pivot said reflectiveelement toward the display mode orientation responsive to the vehicleshifting to a reverse gear.
 30. The interior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 20, wherein the length dimension of said video display screen isat least 95 percent of the length dimension of said reflective element,and wherein the width dimension of said video display screen is at least95 percent of the width dimension of said reflective element.
 31. Aninterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said interior rearviewmirror assembly comprising: a mirror head accommodating a reflectiveelement; wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromicreflective element comprising a front glass substrate having first andsecond surfaces and a rear glass substrate having third and fourthsurfaces, with an electrochromic medium disposed between said secondsurface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of saidrear glass substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal; wherein saidsecond surface of said front glass substrate is coated with atransparent conductive coating, and wherein said third surface of saidrear glass substrate is coated with a transflective mirror reflector,and wherein said transparent conductive coating and said transflectivemirror reflector contact said electrochromic medium; a mountingstructure comprising a mounting base configured to attach at an interiorportion of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirrorassembly; wherein said mirror head is pivotally mounted at said mountingstructure via a pivot joint, and wherein said pivot joint comprises afirst pivot element of said mounting structure and a second pivotelement of said mirror head; a display device accommodated in saidmirror head and disposed behind said reflective element, wherein saiddisplay device comprises a video display screen that, when actuated,displays video images viewable through said transflective mirrorreflector of said reflective element; wherein, when said display deviceis not actuated, said transflective mirror reflector renders presence ofsaid video display screen covert; wherein said reflective element has alength dimension and a width dimension, and wherein said video displayscreen has a length dimension and a width dimension, and wherein thelength dimension of said video display screen is at least 95 percent ofthe length dimension of said reflective element, and wherein the widthdimension of said video display screen is at least 95 percent of thewidth dimension of said reflective element; wherein, with said mountingbase of said mounting structure attached at the interior portion of thevehicle, said reflective element is tiltable between a mirror modeorientation, where said reflective element is positioned to provide arearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle, and a display modeorientation, where said reflective element is tilted relative to themirror mode orientation; wherein, with said mounting base of saidmounting structure attached at the interior portion of the vehicle, andwhen said reflective element is in the display mode orientation, (i)said video display screen is actuated and video images displayed by saidvideo display screen are viewable by the driver of the vehicle and (ii)said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element reflectslight incident thereon away from the driver's eyes; wherein thedisplayed video images are derived from image data captured by a cameraof the vehicle viewing exterior the vehicle; wherein, with said mountingbase of said mounting structure attached at the interior portion of thevehicle, and when said reflective element is in the mirror modeorientation, (i) said video display screen is not actuated and (ii)light incident on said transflective mirror reflector of said reflectiveelement is reflected toward the driver's eyes; wherein said mirror headaccommodates an actuator; wherein said actuator comprises a motordisposed at an actuator body, and wherein said actuator body comprisessaid second pivot element that pivotally attaches at said first pivotelement to adjustably mount said mirror head at said first pivot elementof said mounting structure; wherein said actuator body is pivotallymounted at the rear of said reflective element, and wherein saidactuator, when said motor is electrically powered, pivots saidreflective element relative to said actuator body to tilt saidreflective element between the mirror mode orientation and the displaymode orientation; and wherein said actuator is electrically powered topivot said reflective element toward the display mode orientationresponsive to the vehicle shifting to a reverse gear.
 32. The interiorrearview mirror assembly of claim 31, wherein said actuator comprises acam that is rotatably driven by said motor, and wherein said cam engagesa guide element disposed at the rear of said reflective element, andwherein said motor, when electrically powered, rotates said cam wherebymovement of said cam relative to said guide element pivots said actuatorbody relative to said reflective element.
 33. The interior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 32, wherein said cam comprises an arcuate slotand said guide element comprises a guide pin, and wherein said arcuateslot receives said guide pin, and wherein said motor, when electricallypowered, rotates said cam whereby said guide pin moves along saidarcuate slot to pivot said actuator body relative to said reflectiveelement.
 34. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 33, whereinsaid actuator body is pivotable about a pivot axis at the rear of saidreflective element.
 35. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim34, wherein said pivot axis is at a first end of said actuator body, andwherein said cam is at a second end of said actuator body opposite fromthe first end of said actuator body.
 36. The interior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 35, wherein said actuator comprises a pair of cams,each at opposite sides of the second end of said actuator body.
 37. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 33, wherein said guide pin isdisposed at a stanchion protruding rearward from a backing plateattached at a rear surface of said reflective element.
 38. The interiorrearview mirror assembly of claim 33, wherein the arcuate slot isflattened at each end to provide a detent to hold said reflectiveelement at the respective mirror mode orientation and display modeorientation.